Sekondi June 3, GNA- A Sekondi District Magistrate's Court on Thursday sentenced Kwabena Ebo, a common carrier, to 12 months imprisonment in hard labour for stealing one million cedis belonging to the Omanhene of Apataim Traditional Area.

He pleaded guilty.

Ekow Essien, a barber, who was jointly charged with Ebo, pleaded not guilty and was remanded in prisons custody to re-appear on June 17 this year.

Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Andam Okyere, said Awulae Kwaku Akyinisuo the III, Omanhene of Apataim Traditional sent his Renault Taxi for repairs in Takoradi.

He said on May 26, this year, the Omanhene gave 1,000,000 cedis to the driver of the taxi, Andrew Kwaw, to pay the fitter who worked on the vehicle and send it back to Apataim.

Sergeant Okyere said Kwaw left Apataim that same day for Takoradi but the vehicle he was travelling on developed a fault on the way so he arrived late at night.

He said Kwaw alighted at Zenith Hotel and made his way towards Axim Lorry Station but when he got to a spot behind Super Star Hotel at midnight, he was attacked by the accused persons and others now at large, and took the one million cedis from and stripped him naked. Sergeant Okyere said Kwaw managed to escape from the accused persons and took to his heels but the accused persons shouted on him as he was a thief.

He said Kwaw shouted for help and some good people around came to his rescue but Ebo was arrested.

Sergeant Okyere said Ebo was sent to the Police Station and on May 31, this year, Essien was also arrested.